WSJ: Mueller impanels DC Grand Jury for Russia Probe

[Fro]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/specia...rand-jury-in-russia-probe-1501788287?mod=e2tw

Seems they are continuing to make progress.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to people familiar with the matter.

The grand jury, which began its work in recent weeks, is a sign that Mr. Mueller’s inquiry is ramping up and that it will likely continue for months. Mr. Mueller is investigating Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether President Donald Trump’s campaign or associates colluded with the Kremlin as part of that effort.

“This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel,” said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. “If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so.”

Thomas Zeno, a federal prosecutor for 29 years before becoming a lawyer at the Squire Patton Boggs law firm, said the grand jury is “confirmation that this is a very vigorous investigation going on.”


“This doesn’t mean he is going to bring charges,” Mr. Zeno cautioned. “But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn’t do this if it were winding down.”

 

[Fro]

Media moving fast now

 

[sglowrider]

My suggestion for Trump:

 

[sglowrider]

 

[sglowrider]

Question: YOu have a grand jury and then the selection of the 21/23 jurists.

How do you get people who go in there with a blank slate with this very divisive president?
Secondly, if you do find those blank slate jurist, arent they then likely to be low information folks, who would then be Trump supporter's profile?

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Question: YOu have a grand jury and then the selection of the 21/23 jurists.

How do you get people who go in there with a blank slate with this very divisive president?
Secondly, if you do find those blank slate jurist, arent they then likely to be low information folks, who would then be Trump supporter's profile?

Three things.

1. According to NYT, the original reporting on this was slightly off. Apparently Mueller is using a grand jury that was already meeting, rather than impanel a special one. This means they would have been asked a few questions to test their general impartiality, not their ability to be impartial specifically with respect to Trump.

2. You only need 12 of the 23 jurors to sign off on the indictment.

3. Grand juries are, pretty much by design, a rubber stamp. The proceedings are heavily slanted in favor of the prosecutor. The primary function of a grand jury is not to determine what the prosecutor can target, but really just prevent a prosecutor from stepping way out of bounds by going after a crime for which he has no probable cause whatsoever (and even on this count, they often fail).

As an aside, the only reason we know about this is because subpoenas have already been issued (grand juries are secret, but no law prevents witnesses from leaking information about them). So that pretty much demonstrates that the makeup of the GJ is no preventing Mueller from pursuing whatever leads he's after at the moment.

 

[sglowrider]

Three things.

1. According to NYT, the original reporting on this was slightly off. Apparently Mueller is using a grand jury that was already meeting, rather than impanel a special one. This means they would have been asked a few questions to test their general impartiality, not their ability to be impartial specifically with respect to Trump.

2. You only need 12 of the 23 jurors to sign off on the indictment.

3. Grand juries are, pretty much by design, a rubber stamp. The proceedings are heavily slanted in favor of the prosecutor. The primary function of a grand jury is not to determine what the prosecutor can target, but really just prevent a prosecutor from stepping way out of bounds by going after a crime for which he has no probable cause whatsoever (and even on this count, they often fail).

As an aside, the only reason we know about this is because subpoenas have already been issued (grand juries are secret, but no law prevents witnesses from leaking information about them). So that pretty much demonstrates that the makeup of the GJ is no preventing Mueller from pursuing whatever leads he's after at the moment.

Thanks Goat! Wasnt aware of Point 3.

I dont know if Trump even knows what is true in real life. He has been acting all his life.

He will think he can wing it.

 

[RBB89]

My suggestion for Trump:

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FIF!

 

[sglowrider]

FIF!

Its a classic that's getting its 2nd life in the Age of Trump. And the next couple of years, I am pretty sure we will, unfortunately, hear that phrase being used all too many times.

 

[Fro]

Assange getting scared now, lol

 

[sglowrider]

Assange getting scared now, lol

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So much for being impartial.

 

[SuperHoosierFan]

Assange getting scared now, lol

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LOL!!! That article forgot to mention hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana during Mueller's time.

 

[Stuffshot]

So much for being impartial.

Uh, assuming you're suggesting that cops and prosecutors have to be impartial, I don't think that's true at all.

 

[sglowrider]